Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALHOWLO’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALHOWLO’, particularly characterized by having white, shaded, flecked, and edged flowers with reddish-orange and very light purple lips, 1 to 2 peduncles that are long and sturdy, leaves that are oblong, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALHOWLO’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHALHOWLO’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withnumerous unique and attractive white, shaded, flecked, and edged flowerswith reddish-orange and very light purple lips, suitable for pottedplant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALHOWLO’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in February 2011 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, ofthe proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-2112’(unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘21232-01’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in February 2014. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2016 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Sep. 25, 2018, by Applicant who obtained thesubject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALHOWLO’ has notbeen made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to theeffective filing date of this application with the exception of sales ordisclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date ofthis claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALHOWLO’ directlyfrom the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHALHOWLO’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1) White, shaded, flecked, and edged flowers with reddish-orange        and very light purple lips;    -   2) 1 to 2 peduncles;    -   3) Peduncle is long and sturdy; and    -   4) Shape of the leaf is oblong.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds,and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands,from 50-week-old plants in April 2019. Colors in the photographs maydiffer from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, andfoliage of ‘PHALHOWLO’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALHOWLO’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALHOWLO’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALHOWLO’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in April 2019 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in-vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALHOWLO’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-2112’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘21232-01’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (between RHS 190B and 190C)            colored roots with branching lateral roots having            yellow-green (RHS N144D) colored root tips with a touch of            purplish-red (RHS N77B).-   Plant:    -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual            propagation (in-vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24            weeks. After transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are            finished after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendant with            raceme or panicle inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 55.0 cm to 60.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 43.0 cm to 45.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Sturdy.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 6 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 21.0 cm            to 24.0 cm. Width: 7.0 cm to 8.0 cm. Shape: Oblong. Base            shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse to rounded            unequal. Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from            the horizontal position): Between 5 degrees and 20 degrees.            Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower            surface: RHS 147B. Spots (upper surface): Absent. Texture            (both upper and lower surfaces): Rough. Thickness: 2.0 mm to            3.0 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel.            Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower            surface: RHS 146A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—8 to 16.        -   Length.—55.0 cm to 60.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendant.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Mix of brown (RHS N200A) and yellow-green (RHS 146C).        -   Internode length.—4.5 cm to 5.5 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, raceme or panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 200.0 mm to            300.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 74.0 mm to 79.0 mm. Diameter: 93.0 mm to            98.0 mm. Depth of lip: 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 11 to 16 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Large. Length: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm.            Width: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color:            Purplish-red (RHS 183D) at the base and light yellow-green            (between RHS 145B and 145C) toward the tip.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Curvature at longitudinal            axis: Recurving. Shape: Semi-circular. Shape in cross            section: Convex. Presence of any twisting: Absent. Apex:            Rounded asymmetric. Margin: Slightly undulated. Intensity of            undulation of the margin: Moderate. Length (from base to            tip): 43.0 mm to 45.0 mm. Width: 52.0 mm to 54.0 mm.            Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward the base.            Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White            (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light purple (RHS 76A) at the            base; flecked (RHS N79C) with dark purplish-red stripes            (between RHS N79B and N79C) at the edge. Number of dots and            stripes: Few dots and few stripes. Size of dots and stripes:            Small to medium dots and medium stripes. Lower surface:            Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light            reddish-purple (RHS N78D) at the base and diluting stripes            (between RHS N79C and N79D) at the edge.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Curvature at longitudinal axis: Incurving.            Shape: Elliptic. Shape in cross section: Concave. Presence            of any twisting: Absent. Apex: Obtuse symmetric. Margin:            Entire. Intensity of undulation of the margin: Absent.            Length (from base to tip): 45.0 mm to 47.0 mm. Width: 28.0            mm to 30.0 mm. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface:            Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Purplish-pink            (RHS N78C) at the base and dark purplish-red flecks and            stripes (between RHS N79B and N79C) at the edge. Number of            dots and stripes: Few dots and few stripes. Size of dots and            stripes: Small to medium dots and medium stripes. Lower            surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color:            Slightly light yellow-green (RHS 145C) at the base and light            reddish-purple (RHS N78D) in the middle; diluting            reddish-purple (RHS N79D) at the edge.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 46.0 mm to            48.0 mm. Width: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).            Over color: Slightly light yellow-green (RHS 145C), light            reddish-purple (RHS N78A), and dotted (RHS 183C) at the            base; dark purplish-red midvein and stripes (between RHS            N79B and N79C) toward edge. Number of dots and stripes:            Medium dots and few stripes. Size of dots and stripes: Small            to medium dots and medium stripes. Lower surface: Basic            color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Slightly light            yellow-green (RHS 145D) and purplish-red (RHS N77B) at the            base; diluting dark purplish-red stripes (between RHS N79C            and N79D) toward edge.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 13.0            mm to 15.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Very light purple (RHS            76B) with few pink dots (RHS 182C) and light yellow tips            (RHS 10B). Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.            Curvature: Weak. Margin: Undulated. Length: 19.0 mm to            21.0 mm. Width: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Color: Yellow (RHS 12B)            with dark reddish-orange stripes (RHS 175B to 175C) at the            base; dark reddish-orange (RHS 175C) and yellow (RHS 12B) on            one side; white (RHS NN155C) toward other side. Number of            stripes and netting: Few stripes. Fusion of the lateral            lobes to the apical lobe: None.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 20.0            mm to 22.0 mm. Width: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm. Color: Slightly            yellow (RHS 12B) and dark reddish-orange (RHS 175B) at the            base; very light purple (RHS 76C); dotted (RHS 182C). Number            of stripes and netting: None.        -   Callus.—Average size: Medium. Height: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.            Length: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Color:            Yellow (RHS 17B); striped and dotted (RHS 175B to 175C).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 4.9 mm to            5.4 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C) with very light purple            shade (RHS 76C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.9 mm to 1.2 mm. Color:            Orange (RHS 24A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Diameter: 2.4 mm to            2.7 mm. Color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145D) and light            reddish-purple (RHS N78D) toward the flower.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 41.0 mm to 43.0 mm. Diameter: 2.9 mm to            3.3 mm. Color: Purple (RHS N77A) at the base; purplish-red            (RHS N77B) and light yellow-green (RHS 145D) toward the            flower.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALHOWLO’ differs from female parent plant ‘01-2112’ (unpatented) inthat ‘PHALHOWLO’ has rounded petal apexes and flowers with a shaded,flecked, and edged pattern, whereas ‘01-2112’ has obtuse to roundedpetal apexes and flowers with a centered pattern. Additionally,‘PHALHOWLO’ has larger flowers than ‘01-2112’.

‘PHALHOWLO’ differs from male parent plant ‘21232-01’ (unpatented) inthat ‘PHALHOWLO’ has rounded petal apexes and flowers with a shaded,flecked, and edged pattern, whereas ‘21232-01’ has emarginated petalapexes and flowers with an even pattern. Additionally, ‘PHALHOWLO’ haslarger flowers than ‘21232-01’.

‘PHALHOWLO’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALDOPFO’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,452) and ‘PHALGULFQ’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 29,975). ‘PHALHOWLO’ differs from the commercial variety‘PHALDOPFO’ in that ‘PHALHOWLO’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes andwhiskers that are very light purple with pink dots and light yellowtips, whereas ‘PHALDOPFO’ has rounded to slightly emarginated dorsalsepal apexes and whiskers that are white with a purple stripe in themiddle. Additionally, ‘PHALHOWLO’ has smaller flowers, shorter whiskers,and longer leaves than ‘PHALDOPFO’.

‘PHALHOWLO’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALGULFQ’ in that‘PHALHOWLO’ has rounded petal apexes and whiskers that are very lightpurple (RHS 76B) with pink dots and light yellow tips, whereas‘PHALGULFQ’ has obtuse petal apexes and whiskers that are light purple(RHS 76D).

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALHOWLO’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.